Abstract: A system and method for controlling a compactor in a cotton harvester includes lowering a compactor frame to a first height to compact the cotton bolls, raising it to a second height, and distributing the cotton bolls fore-and-aft when the frame is at the second height. These steps may be repeated until a cotton module is built. The method is preferably computer-implemented.

Abstract: Compactor apparatus for an on-board module builder, including single cylinders and guide members on opposite sides of the module builder for guiding and effecting a cotton compacting process. The compactor apparatus includes a frame disposed in a cotton module builder chamber, movable downwardly within the chamber against the cotton for compacting the cotton against the floor and walls of the chamber. The frame includes cross members which extend across the chamber and protrude outwardly therefrom through upwardly and downwardly extending slots or passages through the sides of the module builder. The ends on each side are connected together by an exterior side structure which is movable upwardly and downwardly by a suitable driver, guided by at least one vertically extending guide member.

Abstract: An automatic end of row detection and compacting sequence for a cotton harvesting machine which is initiated responsive to the machine ceasing harvesting at the end of a crop row, as represented by a condition such as raising a picker drum of the machine from a harvesting position to a non-harvesting position. Steps of the sequence can include ceasing operation of augers of compactor apparatus located in the cotton receiver are turned off, and moving the compactor apparatus downwardly within a cotton receiver of the machine and against cotton accumulated in the lower region of the receiver, one or more times, for further and better compacting the cotton. Then, when the machine is aligned with a new swath or row and a condition such as the picker unit being lowered to the harvesting position, normal operation of the compactor apparatus can be resumed.

Abstract: A cotton compacting apparatus and method for a cotton compactor chamber of a cotton module builder or packager, including a frame movable downwardly against cotton for compacting the cotton into a cotton module or package, the frame including at least one auger having a right hand helical flight and at least one auger having a left hand flight, the opposite hand augers being counter-rotatable in a manner for effecting desired movement of cotton within the module builder for building a module having a desired shape and density.

Abstract: An automatic end of row detection and compacting sequence for a cotton harvesting machine which is initiated responsive to the machine ceasing harvesting at the end of a crop row, as represented by a condition such as raising a picker drum of the machine from a harvesting position to a non-harvesting position. Steps of the sequence can include ceasing operation of augers of compactor apparatus located in the cotton receiver are turned off, and moving the compactor apparatus downwardly within a cotton receiver of the machine and against cotton accumulated in the lower region of the receiver, one or more times, for further and better compacting the cotton. Then, when the machine is aligned with a new swath or row and a condition such as the picker unit being lowered to the harvesting position, normal operation of the compactor apparatus can be resumed.

Abstract: An automatic end of row detection and compacting sequence for a cotton harvesting machine which is initiated responsive to the machine ceasing harvesting at the end of a crop row, as represented by a condition such as raising a picker drum of the machine from a harvesting position to a non-harvesting position. Steps of the sequence can include ceasing operation of augers of compactor apparatus located in the cotton receiver are turned off, and moving the compactor apparatus downwardly within a cotton receiver of the machine and against cotton accumulated in the lower region of the receiver, one or more times, for further and better compacting the cotton. Then, when the machine is aligned with a new swath or row and a condition such as the picker unit being lowered to the harvesting position, normal operation of the compactor apparatus can be resumed.

Abstract: An automatic end of row detection and compacting sequence for a cotton harvesting machine which is initiated responsive to the machine ceasing harvesting at the end of a crop row, as represented by a condition such as raising a picker drum of the machine from a harvesting position to a non-harvesting position. Steps of the sequence can include ceasing operation of augers of compactor apparatus located in the cotton receiver are turned off, and moving the compactor apparatus downwardly within a cotton receiver of the machine and against cotton accumulated in the lower region of the receiver, one or more times, for further and better compacting the cotton. Then, when the machine is aligned with a new swath or row and a condition such as the picker unit being lowered to the harvesting position, normal operation of the compactor apparatus can be resumed.

Abstract: A cotton receiving basket for an on-board cotton harvesting machine including a lower basket having a plurality of upwardly extending walls having upper portions including elongate upper seal elements extending therealong, respectively; a basket lid having a plurality of downwardly extending walls having lower portions including elongate lower seal elements extending therealong, respectively, and the lower basket and the basket lid being telescopically related so as to be movable one relative to the other between a telescopically retracted position and a telescopically extended position, and wherein the upper and lower seal elements have oppositely facing tapered seal surfaces, respectively, which are cooperatively engaged along substantially the lengths thereof forming substantially sealed conditions therebetween when the lower basket and the basket lid are in the telescopically extended position.

Abstract: An automatic end of row detection and compacting sequence for a cotton harvesting machine which is initiated responsive to the machine ceasing harvesting at the end of a crop row, as represented by a condition such as raising a picker drum of the machine from a harvesting position to a non-harvesting position. Steps of the sequence can include ceasing operation of augers of compactor apparatus located in the cotton receiver are turned off, and moving the compactor apparatus downwardly within a cotton receiver of the machine and against cotton accumulated in the lower region of the receiver, one or more times, for further and better compacting the cotton. Then, when the machine is aligned with a new swath or row and a condition such as the picker unit being lowered to the harvesting position, normal operation of the compactor apparatus can be resumed.

Abstract: An integrated door pivot and conveyor drive for an unloading door or ramp for a receiver for harvested crops such as a cotton receiver of a cotton harvesting machine. The integrated pivot and conveyor drive facilitates pivotability of the door or ramp, particularly conveyor chains and a floor of the door or ramp, relative to a floor of the receiver as the door or ramp is pivoted between a closed position angularly related to the floor of the receiver at about a 90° angle forming a closure, and an open position oriented coplanar with or parallel to and just below the floor of the receiver, forming a substantially continuous conveyor surface for conveying harvested crops from the receiver.

Abstract: Compactor apparatus for an on-board module builder, including single cylinders and guide members on opposite sides of the module builder for guiding and effecting a cotton compacting process. The compactor apparatus includes a frame disposed in a cotton module builder chamber, movable downwardly within the chamber against the cotton for compacting the cotton against the floor and walls of the chamber. The frame includes cross members which extend across the chamber and protrude outwardly therefrom through upwardly and downwardly extending slots or passages through the sides of the module builder. The ends on each side are connected together by an exterior side structure which is movable upwardly and downwardly by a suitable driver, guided by at least one vertically extending guide member.

Abstract: Bellows structure for a cotton module builder or packager, for enclosing or covering slots or passages through walls of a cotton module builder, for preventing entry of cotton into the slots or passages, to allow free movement of cross members therethrough of apparatus for distributing and compacting cotton within the module builder. The bellows can include telescoping rigid members below the cross members, and more flexible bellows thereabove.

Abstract: A cotton packager including a floor surface for supporting a compacted body of cotton, the floor surface including at least one sheet of a low friction polymer material on which the compacted body of cotton is supported, for facilitating movement and conveyance of the compacted body of cotton from the packager. The packager can include an unloading ramp pivotable to an unloading position extending outwardly from the floor surface and including a conveyor surface including at least one sheet of a low friction polymer material, for facilitating passage of a compacted body of cotton thereover. The floor surface and the conveyor surface can each include at least one conveyor chain thereon, supported on the low friction polymer material sheet, or in channels.

Abstract: A pivoting unloading door for ramp assembly and common conveyor drive for door or ramp segments thereof. The door or ramp segments are pivotable about a pivotal axis between a folded or closed position in generally overlaying relation one to the other, and an unfolded or open unloading position in parallel, end-to-end relation, the door segments including conveyors thereon for conveying objects or matter thereover when in the unloading position. The door assembly includes a common drive for the conveyors which is disposed beneath the conveyors in the unloading position in coaxial relation with the pivotal axis, and which is operable for simultaneously moving the conveyors. The output of the drive can extend through a pivot joint connecting the door segments, and can connect the elements of the pivot joint.

Abstract: A cotton receiver of a cotton harvesting machine including a floor and opposing side walls defining a cotton compacting chamber, each of the side walls including a plurality of spaced apart perforations therethrough for passage of air from the chamber, and a door enclosing an end of the chamber. The receiver includes compacting apparatus for compacting cotton into a compacted body which will have a sideward shape and extent at least generally defined by the opposing side walls, the door being openable to allow removal of a compacted body of cotton from the chamber through the end. The opposing walls are tapered divergingly toward the end such that when a compacted body is removed from the chamber through the end, cotton protruding into the perforations will be released.

Abstract: An automatic end of row detection and compacting sequence for a cotton harvesting machine which is initiated responsive to the machine ceasing harvesting at the end of a crop row, as represented by a condition such as raising a picker drum of the machine from a harvesting position to a non-harvesting position. Steps of the sequence can include ceasing operation of augers of compactor apparatus located in the cotton receiver are turned off, and moving the compactor apparatus downwardly within a cotton receiver of the machine and against cotton accumulated in the lower region of the receiver, one or more times, for further and better compacting the cotton. Then, when the machine is aligned with a new swath or row and a condition such as the picker unit being lowered to the harvesting position, normal operation of the compactor apparatus can be resumed.

Abstract: The present invention relates (with reference to FIG. 1a) to a method of manufacture of an integrated camera and illumination device. The method comprises assembling together an optical sensor (12), illumination means (17) and associated electronic circuitry (10) into an assembled unit; placing the assembled unit into a mold; introducing an encapsulant in liquid state into the mold to surround the components therein; and the encapsulant solidifying to form an encapsulated assembly of optical sensor, illumination means and associated electronic circuitry.

Abstract: The present invention (with reference to FIG. 2a) relates to an integrated camera and illumination device. The device comprises illumination apparatus having a plurality of light emitting diodes (17) arranged in a circuit which regulates current output by the circuit to an approximately constant level. The device comprises camera apparatus having a CMOS sensor (12) in a circuit supplied by the current regulated by the illumination apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates (with reference to FIG. 1a) to a method of manufacture of an integrated camera and illumination device. The method comprises assembling together an optical sensor (12), illumination means (17) and associated electronic circuitry (10) into an assembled unit; placing the assembled unit into a mold; introducing an encapsulant in liquid state into the mold to surround the components therein; and the encapsulant solidifying to form an encapsulated assembly of optical sensor, illumination means and associated electronic circuitry.

Abstract: The present invention (with reference to FIG. 2a) relates to an integrated camera and illumination device. The device comprises illumination apparatus having a plurality of light emitting diodes (17) arranged in a circuit which regulates current output by the circuit to an approximately constant level. The device comprises camera apparatus having a CMOS sensor (12) in a circuit supplied by the current regulated by the illumination apparatus.